Panasonic AG-HMC150 - Official Press Release
 

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES SOLID-STATE AG-HMC150
PROFESSIONAL AVCHD 1080 HANDHELD CAMCORDER

** Next Generation, Affordable HD Handheld Offers SD Card Recording, Three 1/3”CCDs, Enhanced Quality Recording Mode, 1080 and 720 with 24p **

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 13, 2008) – Here at NAB 2008, Panasonic added a powerful, new camcorder to its AVCCAM professional line – the handheld AG-HMC150. Building on the phenomenal success of the highly popular DV tape based, standard definition AG-DVX100 camcorder, the affordable HMC150 blends professional 1080 and 720 HD production capabilities and enhanced quality recording (at average 21 Mbps/ Max 24Mbps) with the simplicity and familiarity of SD card, digital still camera workflow.

With an exciting range of professional-level features and a sleek, compact design, the HMC150 can record hours of high-quality 1080 and 720 HD images onto solid-state SD and SDHC memory cards, at lower bit rates than current HDV compression formats. This new model offers an enhanced quality mode at average 21 Mbps (Max 24Mbps) that moves quality up even further. The AG-HMC150 camcorder utilizes AVCHD, the industry’s newest long GOP compression standard based on MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 high profile encoding (the same as Blu-ray HD players). AVCHD provides a near doubling of bandwidth efficiency and improved video performance over the older MPEG-2 compression used in HDV formats and standard definition DVD players. AVCHD high definition recordings look clean and clear, even during fast motion, reducing the image degradation or dropout associated with HDV.

Highest-Quality, Full HD Recording

Designed to be used in a variety of budget conscious production applications, the HMC150 records stunning high definition in four recording modes – PH mode (average 21 Mbps/Max 24Mbps), HA mode (approx.17 Mbps), HG mode (approx.13 Mbps) and HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps). It captures full horizontal resolution 1920x1080 images at its PH, HA and HG recording modes. The camera can also be set to capture 1280x720 images at PH mode. At its 6 Mbps record mode, it captures 1440x1080 HD images for extended HD recording at its lowest bit rate. The HMC150 supports a range of HD formats, including 1080/24p, 1080/60i and 720/60p.

This mainstream, production-level camera features native 16:9 progressive 1/3” 3-CCD imagers, enhanced by a high-performing digital signal processor with 14-bit A/D conversion and 19-bit processing. Its 13X Leica Dicomar zoom lens offers a 28mm (35mm equivalent) wide-angle setting (the widest in its class), a 72mm diameter, and a cam-driven manual zoom. The HMC150 provides auto or manual operation of focus and iris, and automatic optical image stabilization (O.I.S.) to ensure stable, smooth and precise shooting. It also features a range of selectable gamma functions including Cine-like gamma, making it well suited for cinema-like video production.

Extra-Long Record Times

With the HMC150, videographers can capitalize on the cost advantages, reliability, and widespread availability of SD and SDHC memory cards. Using just one 32GB SDHC card, users can record three hours of full pixel 1920x1080 video and audio at PH mode, four hours at HA mode and 5.3 hours at HG mode. In the HE mode, the camera can record up to 12 hours of 1440x1080 HD content – all on a single 32GB SDHC card. Panasonic also offers a variety of other SD and SDHC card sizes with Class 6 performance including 16GB, 8GB, 4GB, 2GB and 1GB.

Easy HD Playback on a Growing Number of Affordable Consumer Players

Content shot on the HMC150 can be played back directly on a wide range of widescreen flat panel displays, and front and rear-screen projectors, directly from the camera. Unlike HDV tapes, SD cards with HD content can be inserted into and played back on a growing number of affordable playback devices including Blu-ray players (like Panasonic’s DMP-BD30), the Sony PlayStation 3, and some new Panasonic plasma displays as well as computers with an SD card slot using applications that play AVCHD files. Using NLE software, content can also be edited and rendered in various formats and delivered on a wide range of media. Currently, AVCHD is supported by over 30 companies and implemented in numerous camcorders, NLE systems and consumer HD playback devices.

Professionals can instantly transfer content from the HMC150 camcorder to Mac or PC computers with an SD/SDHC card reader or by connecting the camcorder directly via its USB 2.0 interface. Other standard interfaces on the camera include HDMI out, component out (mini D terminal), composite out, remote jacks for zoom, focus iris and start/stop functions. The camera’s 3.5-inch LCD monitor displays content in thumbnail images for quick viewing.

The HMC150’s professional audio connections include XLR two-channel audio input (48V phantom power) with mic/line select, manual two-channel audio level VR and RCA audio out jacks. The camera offers waveform monitor display and an array of recording functions including time/date stamp, pre-record, shot marker, Index, time code/user bits and metadata.

Panasonic’s AVCCAM camcorder line-up brings the benefits of solid-state recording to budget-conscious professionals. Like digital still photography, recording onto SD/SDHC cards offer a fast and simple, file-based workflow with ultra-reliable performance and resistance to shock, vibration and extreme temperatures and weather. SD and SDHC memory cards are inexpensive and widely available and can be reused repeatedly. Since AVCHD records video as digital data files, content can be transferred and stored on affordable, high-capacity hard disk drives (HDD) and optical storage media and transferred to future storage media as technology advances.

The HMC150 will be available this fall at a suggested list price under $4,500.

That's about a grand too high.

I love the new marketing term "AVCam" that Panasonic made up to distance itself form the negative press about AVCHD.

I am very interrested in seeing the picture quality of this camera at full bitrate, but I do agree that $4,500 is about $1,000 too much.

If the list price is ~$4500, hopefully the 'street price' will be under $4K.

Any indication what the native resolution of the sensors will be?

Exactly when is "Fall?"

Is it September? or December?

My guess would be late October or in November, but that is a good question.
I wonder if this camera will have the same chipset as the upcoming HVX 200A and HPX 170.

I read that it will shoot at 23 mbps with 1/3 inch 3-CCD sensors.

That should be interesting.

Wonder if the NLEs will deal with the stuff a little better.

Overall, though, the Panasonic offerings, to me, were fairly underwhelming

960x540 -- the same chips as used in the DVX200B. Very low noise - it looked very clean in the very dark Pana booth. Although, it would have been nice to see a move to 1280x720 chips.

The best thing -- an LCD waveform monitor. Oh -- and it's light and balanced unlike the EX1/EX3/Z7.

21Mbps average with peak to 24Mbps. AVCHD should now be equal to HDV. So much for the claim it's 2X more efficient. Actually, might well be better on than HDV on fast motion.

Yes -- I would hope B&H would have it for $3500 because the prices for all the new HDV camcorders are going beyond many/most budgets!

I really really liked this camera for 720p shooting. October 2008.

PS: it's AVCHD so it's going to be no different than for the NLEs. Apple will not edit natively -- always a convert to ProRes or AIC.

At the booth they said "September."

Keep in mind that when the HVX200 was announced it was a block of wood, and that shipped in December. The HMC150 they showed was already working. Probably in at least Alpha state, if not in Beta. So September is probably reasonable.

AG-HMC150 Pricing
 

I agree that "under $4500" is still too high for this camcorder. I'm sure the weak dollar has a lot to do with the pricing.

I was hoping that the MSRP would be $3500, and rapidly drop to a "street price" of about $3000-$3200. If it's anywhere near $4000, I'll probably "bite the bullet" and go for the Sony EX1.

Any word on what frame rates this will shoot at?

2 things 1. I wonder how it will handle itself in low light espcially compared to my GY-HD100s and 2. Why would you guys say its too much? It seems pretty comparable to the HVX-200 in spec with the exception of the card (which is what I like the most about it) personally I think the cheaper the better but am I mising something this camera lacks?


Randy

This camera shoots AVCHD - which uses inter frame compression aka Long GOP at 21 (average) mbps with an apparent possible max of 24.

The Hvx shoots DVCPROHD - which uses intra frame compression and also runs at 100mbps (in 1080) which is just over 4 times the data rate as the top bit rate of the HMC150.

That would be you main difference

The DVCPROHD coming out of the hvx also samples colours with a colour space of 4:2:2. AVCHD only records 4:2:0, the same as HDV.

So the image is equal to or a little better than HDV? If thats the case my GY-HD110s still go for about $4000 and they use tape:( and suck light:( the Sony HDV line still goes for about about $5,000 to $6,000 why would we expect this camera to be cheaper? Did Panasonic omit some major features to keep this camera in the prosumer market?

Randy

Well due to the fact AVCHD is Mpeg4 (H.264) and HDV is Mpeg2 (an older compression method than h264, then it SHOULD be better than HDV.. however only time will tell... well time and testing.

The reason people are disappointed at the announced possible MSRP price is due to the fact that this camera is being touted as an DVX100 replacement.. and the dvx is a lot cheaper than $4500.

$3500-4000 is more where the camera will hopefully end up after a few months.

The DVX100 is standard definition. This camera is high definition.

oh I see well it may be to soon for those kinda price drops in the HD world.

The best VALUE?
 

Upon further thought, I'll have to agree with Randy and Joe that the pricing for this unit is just about right on the mark.

I consult with new and emerging non-profits and faith-based organizations, and I was hoping for a "miracle" affordable camcorder that "has it all" that I could recommend to my clients. With all its limitations, that'll probably be the HMC70.

Well yes of course Chris, and that reason IS why it will be priced higher.

I was just trying to explain why people are reacting like they are to the current announced price point.

Depends on how FAR under $4500. :) I'm hoping for a street price of $3500 and an MSRP of $3995.

You ain't kidding on that one. Everyone I talked to from Japan said the same thing. They won't quote a firm price largely, I believe, because there's no way to know what the exchange rate will be six months from now when the unit actually ships.

720/24p, 720/30p, 720/60p, 1080/24p, 1080/30p, 1080/60i.

Uses the same chipset as the HVX200A. The HVX and HD100 were about the same, noise and sensitivity-wise. The HVX200A is a half-stop faster (500 ISO instead of 320) and much cleaner in noise. You could probably gain up by at least 3dB, if not 6dB, before matching the HVX/HD100 noise level. So, as far as a practical matter goes, the 150 should (SHOULD) be around a stop faster for equivalent grain, maybe as much as 1.5 stops faster.

Well, it is NOW. But for the first five years of its life, the DVX was priced at $3795 to $3995.

Good point. I forgot about that.

I assume when you say "faster" you mean "brighter" which means it may be anywhere from .5 to 1.5 stops brighter than the GY-HD100. thats a pretty big deal for me.

No SD recording?

Standard definition recording is not an option with AVCHD camcorders.

??? my Sony HDR-SR1 can record SD. Granted, the resulting file isn't AVCHD, but it IS an AVCHD camcorder ;)

Bufff, this means bye-bye DVD.
And I don't think that DVD format will dissapear soon. At this time, is the universal format to deliver video. How many time it will survive? I don't know, but sure one or two years, or more as "universal compatible" to deliver a work (very cheap and acceptable quality).
Yes, you can record HD and downconvert by software, but it means a lot of time, files, space on your computer.
SD option is great for conferences, INTERNET and a lot of works that don't requiere HD.
It's sad if camcorder makers ignore this niche.

I stand corrected then. It's not an option with Panasonic Pro-Line or Canon VIXIA AVCHD camcorders.

I'm perfectly ok with an all HD camera, even if Apple can't seem to ever bring a bluray burner and updated DVDSP to market.

All Digital Photo Cams can do from (more or less) 640x480 pixels to 8 or 10 or more pixel, with intermediate sizes.
An 8 megapíxels digicam doesn't have 6 or 8 megapixles option only. It's digital and don't record to tape.
Why quit SD option when you are recording on a SD card (it is not a joke ;))? Or less, something like 320x240 for DIRECT Internet. It's a firmware adding, the software of the machine.
SD is good for fast editing on a laptop or, why not, on future and every day more powerful PDAs. Insert the SD card in the PDA, simple video editor, upload to Internet by Wifi.
Work done.

For those interested, I've posted photos & known specifications on my WEB Page of the HMC-150:

http://web.mac.com/bobdiaz/Site/HMC150.html


Also, I have Podcasts of Jan (from Panasonic) and Barry Green talking about the new Panasonic cameras (including the HMC-150). The root to the Podcasts is here:

http://web.mac.com/bobdiaz/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html


I was also able to shoot a short video about the camera at NAB. You can find it on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5Y45vjYlA8



Sincerely,

Bob Diaz

Mr. Diaz

You don't know me from adams house cat but i happened across your pod-cast and have very much enjoyed them. I'm kind of a bigger tecno-geek than most videographers/Producers i know.

i especialy liked
sex, lies and video specs and the stuff with Jan and Barry green.

If i may be so bold i would love to hear your thoughts on a few additional topics.

pixel shifting vs true pixel for pixel scanning (especially as it relates to Panasonic's products)
and
how to preserve picture quality throughout the workflow from acquisition( in DVCproHD or AVCHD) to delivery (dvd or bluray) use intermediate codecs or suck it up and edit native.

anyway
thanks again and keep them podcast coming

Oh... one more thing, did you look at the HMC70? i know its not the "PRO" camera Panasonic makes it out to be but it may fit into the budget weddings and theater work that i do. (my high end folks can get the good stuff) and if so what did you think?

John Deaver
Birmingham, Al
mainstreetav@mac.com

Hi John,

While I went to NAB and was in the Panasonic Booth, I didn't spend any time with the HMC-70. Sorry about that, but with limited time (only 2 days), I wanted to spend the most time with the HMC-150 and the HPX-170. The images from the HMC-70 did look good, but I just didn't take the time to study them over carefully. Maybe someone else did get a chance to check out the HMC-70 and can comment on it.


I've added your topic to the list I keep of future topics to cover. I've switched to a once a week addition, because of the time it takes to produce each Podcast. You can expect an update somewhere around Friday night --> Sunday night. It will take 3 Podcasts to cover your questions and it should be up to 2 months before I can get to these topics.


Best Wishes,

Bob Diaz

Some here seem to think AVCHD will outperform MPEG2 but in general the admittedly budget entrants into the market have been plagued with quality problems. Because of the amount of processing power required to encode AVCHD the attraction of what could be a great aquisition format is being destroyed by cheap encoders that just can't handle fast motion or in some cases any motion at all - we are talking motion trails etc. I trust with the price point of this camera and those further up the Pansonic range that these issues will be addressed, but will it actually outperform MPEG2 Long GOP? Remember that codec has been implemented in cameras at higher data rates (than the 21Mb/s) and with more mature codec chips.

Because it's hard to encode AVCHD also uses a great deal of resources being decoded as well. Prepare to use an intermediate codec like ProRes or DnxHD or Cineform to edit your footage or buy that super beefy computer you've always wanted. Of course long GOP MPEG2 is challenging as well, but a little easier to decode. In this case I think Panasonic are at the bleeding edge and they should be congratulated on at least giving it a go.

However, and this is just my viewpoint, I just don't think pixel shifting is the way of the future. Sooner or later I think Panasonic will join other manufacturers in adopting full HD sensors in cameras with form factors like the DVX and maybe even smaller, especially now that technology is beginning to mature.

As far as the pricepoint goes it seems reasonable without being revolutionary, given that this camera will shoot squarely at event coverage and budget corporate work and some newsgathering. BTW does anyone know if this cam will sport an HD-SDI out?

Hi John,

IF we are talking about good quality CODECs, MPEG-4 AVC H.264 (AVCHD) will out perform MPEG-2. AVCHD has a lot more "tricks" to use to better compress the data. The extra processing power required to AVCHD is to be able to use as many of the extra "tricks" to compress the data.

On the other hand, if the AVCHD CODEC is done poorly, it won't stand a chance against MPEG-2.

At the highest data rate, the HMC-150 reaches 21 Mbps average and 24 Mbps maximum. Thus for the easy stuff with almost no movement, the data rate will be less than 21 Mbps, but if the movement becomes VERY complex, it can reach up to 24 Mbps.

The 24 Mbps of AVCHD maximum comes to about 96% of HDV's 25 Mbps data rate and the 21 Mbps average comes to 84% of HDV's 25 Mbps data rate. So, it doesn't take too much for Panasonic to generate a CODEC that will do far better than HDV.

Because there's more than one way to do AVCHD encoding, it's hard to say what the compressed file from the HMC-150 will be like. If they chose, CABAC, the compression is better, but it takes more processing power to play back. On the other hand, CAVLC doesn't work as well, but it takes less processing power to play back.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.264/MPEG-4_AVC

Once the camera comes out around September --> November 2008, we'll be able to really test the CODEC and see if there are any real problems or not. My feeling is that Panasonic is NOT stupid and will make sure that only the worst of the worst will cause compression artifacts or at least MPEG-2 is going to break long before the the HMC-150 does.

I expect that the forums will have a lively debate over using using an intermediate CODEC vs. Native Mode Editing. I'll save my comments for a future Podcast, but I will say that the answer is not a simple one. there's a bit of give and take here as each solution is not perfect.

As for HD-SDI output, it a word, no, not for the HMC-150. You can see the photos I took at NAB of the HMC-150. If you want HD-SDI output, the 170 does offer it.

http://web.mac.com/bobdiaz/Site/HMC150.html


Sincerely,

Bob Diaz


Bob's Technical Comments

Audio Podcast

http://web.mac.com/bobdiaz/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html

Thanks for all the info Bob, much appreciated - my fear is that so far every implementation to date at the bottom end of the market has failed (and some of them use data rates between 14Mb/S-19Mb/s which is not too dissimilar), therefore Panasonic will have to implement a MUCH better quality hardware codec. That's why I'm adopting a wait and see attitude as well. I'm hoping Panasonic will make a killer codec chip for acquisition.

I agree 100% with those sentiments. When AVCHD was first anounced there was this big proclamation that HDV/MPEG2 had been handed its hat and would be phased out fairly quickly, leaving HDV as more or less a short lived stepping stone in the transition from SD to HD. Sony's own literature stated that AVCHD at 9mbps was roughly equivalent to 25mbps MPEG2. Expectations were high.

Of course here we are quite some time later and I still don't see it. For comparison's sake the new Canon HF10/100 vs the HV30 is the closest horse race I can think of off hand and in this case the 17mbps AVCHD *still* doesn't equal the 25mbps MPEG2. And the AVCHD coming off the HF is the nicest I've seen.

And Sony - one of the AVCHD designers (with Pana) - was more or less expected by many to drop HDV and start delivering AVCHD very quickly. While they've pushed AVCHD in the consumer market, they'd done the *exact opposite* with their professional tools. Basically every pro HD cam they make now from $3,000 to $13,000 records MPEG2.


I'm also looking forward to seeing what Panasonic delivers with their new AVC encoder hitting 24mbps. My guess is we'll see the elimination of the mosquito noise inherent to MPEG2 and less breakup and/or softening during fast motion. Beyond that I'm not sure how much more to expect at these bandwidths. I looked at some of the Sony EX1** footage from DVInfo members and its absolutely amazing what 35mbps MPEG2 can deliver. I really think (and Sony seems to be applying this) that the lens, sensors and processing electronics are far, FAR more important than the codec being used.




** I would give up a vital organ to own one of these!

No question it remains the big unknown as to will the HMC-150 AVCHD CODEC really meet Low End Professional Standards or not.

Panasonic has a few things going for it:


(1) Improved CCD and not a single chip image sensor. The image coming into the CODEC is far better than other AVCHD Cameras, so right out of the starting gate, it starts off better quality. I tried to find the link to the video where I grabbed the frames to these still images, but I can't find the link. In the still images, you will see a reduction in the noise with the new CCDs that are found in the 200a, 170, and 150 cameras.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...CD_Noise_1.png

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...CD_Noise_2.png

The images were designed to make the noise stand out, but even at maximum noise, the new CCD holds up so much better than the older CCD.


(2) Panasonic's bit rate is 24 Mbps vs. 25 Mbps of HDV (96% of HDV). With other AVCHD cameras 17 Mbps is 68% of HDV. It truth, it's a bit more complex than that, but I get into that issue later on. (I have a lot to do right now and I can't take the time to write it out.)


Bob Diaz

Bob's Technical Comments, Audio Podcast
http://web.mac.com/bobdiaz/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html